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University of Windsor Students Occupy Administration Lobby

Students Pressure University Administration to Return to Bargaining Table
WINDSOR, ON, Oct. 1 /CNW/ - Students at the University of Windsor have
been occupying the lobby of the administration building, Chrysler Tower, for
over three days in an effort to pressure the university administration and
Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) to resume negotiations.
At noon on Monday, September 29, a group of University of Windsor
students gathered on the fifth floor of Chrysler Tower, in a lobby that
adjoins the offices of the university's top administrators - including that of
Dr. Alan Wildeman, President, and Professor Neil Gold, VP Academic and Provost
- to begin a peaceful sit-in.
The group of students who have been participating in the occupation,
includes Emily Wunder (English), Ayda Rezaian (Criminology &amp; Sociology), Sara
Rooseboom (Social Work), Laura Hall (English), Ian Clough (English), Paige
Sylvestre (French), Vajo Stajic (Labour Studies), Zach Dougall (Drama &amp;
Education), Sina Naebkhil (History), Lee Bagley (English), Kellie Chouinard
(English &amp; History), Lauren Quinn (English), and Brad Sacret (Education).
Other students have visited the occupation and are showing their support for
the students inside.
Classes have been cancelled at the University of Windsor since Wednesday,
September 17, 2008 - the day the strike began. No negotiations have taken
place between the Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) and the
university administration since the night before the strike was called into
effect.
"We are here representing students' concerns," said Sara Rooseboom, one
of the students involved. "One thing that all students have in common right
now is that we all want to get back to class. The only way to do that is to
have these two parties come to the table and negotiate an offer there. We will
remain here until that time - until both parties are back at the negotiating
table."
Students have brought their books and intend to study for the better part
of their sit-in.
"The fact that a group of Windsor students has taken the bold step of
occupying their administration building is a testament to how strongly they
are committed to their education," said Shelley Melanson, Chairperson of the
Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "The University of Windsor needs to
get back to the negotiating table to settle on a fair deal for staff that puts
students back in classrooms where they belong."

For further information:

For further information: The group of students in the occupation can be
reached by phone at (519) 253-3000 ext. 4120 or by email at
uofw.occupation@gmail.com; There is a live web feed of the occupation at:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/u-of-windsor-occupation; Shelley Melanson,
Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario can be reached for
comment on the provincial implications of the strike at (416) 882-9927